Jumping from one profession to another is a gamble if you’re unprepared. JOE’s careers expert Eoghan McDermott takes you through what to do before making the leap.
By Eoghan McDermott
If you’ve lost your job, and can see no way forward in your chosen profession, then completely changing your career is an option which can be considered with caution and there’s plenty you need to taken into account before jumping in with two feet.
For example, are there jobs in the new area? Will it take long, or cost a lot to up-skill? Will you be much happier?
If you’re really serious about this you should go for it. But, like most changes in career you better be ready to (a) take a massive pay cut, (b) take a step down in the company hierarchy and (c) learn quickly.
Figure out too if you have the skills for the career you’re looking at changing to. For example if you’re looking at getting into PR, a PR Executive needs – communication, organisation, teamwork and competence for deadlines. Then figure out precisely what skills you don’t have and set out to develop them. For example, you may need to go on a course to develop your writing skills.
Next, figure out target companies and organisations. And then offer yourself to them (for nothing if you really mean it). For example, don’t limit yourself solely to PR companies. Look at the not-for-profit sector and charitable organisations. Send in your covering letter, a CV, give them a bell, set up a meeting and tell them that you can help them solve their problem.
Career change is a massive decision to make and, if you do it, do so without fear and never look back. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did,” said Mark Twain, who himself threw up a good job to become a writer.
“So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
If you have a question about your job or career that Eoghan could help you with, why not email JOE at shout@joe.ie?
Eoghan McDermott is Head of The Careers Clinic in The Communications Clinic and is the author of The Career Doctor- How to Get and Keep the Job You Want.
Contact Eoghan at eoghan@communicationsclinic.ie
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